Apparatus for pumping liquid and separating gas therefrom



- July 7, 193 6 v P. s. MORGAN 4 9 I APPARATUS FOR PUMPING LIQUID AND SEPARATING GAS' A'IIHEREFROM Filed Dec. 22. 1 52 7 4 sheets-sheet 1 f Fleul.

3 I I N "22 l 3 M v l2 v 123% v v v73 2 wane can

' sea I 44 3'7 7 as JNVENTOR a I i, Pomn 5. Moaem July 7, 1936. P. s. MCRGAN APPARATUSFORY PUMPIN G LIQUID AND SEPARATING GAS THEREFROM Filed Dec. 22, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR Regret: S. MORGAN 697% July 7, 1936. p 5 MORGAN 2,046,904

APPARATUS FOR PUMPING LIQUID AND SEPARATING GAS THEREFROM Filed D90. 22, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR PORTER 6. MORGAN July 7, 1936- P. s. MORGAN 4 APPARATUS FOR PUMPING LIQUID .AND SEPARATING GAS THEREF R OM File d Dec. 22, 1952 4 sheets-sheet Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR PUMPING LIQUID AND SEPARATING GAS THEREFQOM Porter 8. Morgan, Norwalk, Conn, assignor, by'

assignments, to Liberty Share Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 22. 1932, sci-m1 No. 648,400

14 Claims. (01. ma -113) This invention relates to apparatus for separating gas from a body of liquid, and it has particular' reference to separating means associated with a liquid pump.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide an effective device for supplying liquid from a storage reservoir, or other source favorable to the inclusion of adventitious quantities of gas'or air in the liquid, through apparatus for removing the included air or gas from the liquid body,

so that there maybe delivered a quantity of liquid' which is not diluted by appreciable volumes of air. The invention finds one application in the dispensing of gasoline through a metering l5 device, and, in such use, admits oi the mutual r association of the pumping and separating ele-' ments, but it will be understood that the invention is susceptible 01 other applications.

Other objects or the invention relate to the provision of improved separating means, in which may be embodied various features such as the.

provision of a filter pervious to the liquid, but relatively impervious to the gases, so that a boneing of great size, or the provision of quieting zones of large volume, are rendered unnecessary.

Withal, the separator is of sufliciently great capacity to prevent the development of excessive pressures,. due to abnormal expansions under high temperature. conditions. There is also pro- .vided a venting means for removed gases, which is not only operative to remove, continuously or intermittently, air separated from the liquid, but also to extract any gas bodies which may be en trapped in the pump itself.

Various other objects of the invention, and the advantages to be derived from. the practical application of its principles, will be made more apparent from a perusal. of the foil wing detailed description of a specific emb ent thereof, wherein reference is made to the companying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the assembled device;" r Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section on the line 2- -2 0! Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section on the line 3-3 01 Fig. 1, showing the air pump in elevation with the other portions of thedevice broken away;

: Fig. 4 is a cross section through the pump;

Fig. 1.

The apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a plurality of interconnected housings forming a rigid assembly and containing a centrifugalsupply pump- 20; an air separator 2| supplied with fluid by the pump; a primer or air pump 22 of 5 the displacement type for-removing abnormal quantities of air from the system; and a-pressure responsive clutch device 23 for'controllin'g the operation of the pump 22. Both pump devices are driven by a motor 25 through a suitable 10 shaft 24, which extends through the housings.

The centrifugal pump 20 (Fig. 1) comprises an impeller housing 26 formed at its lowerextr'emity with an input chamber 21 which is suitably connected to an input pipe 28 leading to a stor- 15 age tank. Liquid entering this chamber passes thr'ougha removable tubular strainer 29 inserted in an opening 3|, normally sealed by a nut 32. The open side 01' the housing is internally formed to provide an impeller chamber 30' communicat- 20 ing with the input chamber 21 through a throat 31 The upper face of the housing 26 is flanged,

as indicated by the reference numeral 38, and is formed with a circular pad 39 to provide a connection to the separating unit. 25

The impeller 40 of the pump is advantageously.

of the closed type, having a plurality of hollow arms ll radiating from a central-inlet portion and communicating with the input chamberj'l through the throat 31. The inlet portion of. the '30 impeller is provided with an external bushing 44 providing a radial bearing for engagement with the inner wall of the throat 31. The'impeller is keyed to the shaft 24 and is retained against aaial movementv by a nut 46.

, The separator 2| is formed with an outer chamber 46 (Figs. 1 and 2) adapted to receive liquid discharged by the pump 20 for gravitational separation of any air contained therein, and an inner chamber 41, through which separated air may be removed from the system. and any liquid carried thereby may be returned to the pump. A liquiil outlet pipe 50 is in communi- K cation with the outer chamber through which the separated liquid is directed to suitable metering and dispensing units for disposal.

The outer chamber 46 is definedby an inner cylindrical wall portion separating this chamber from the inner chamber 41 and an outer housing 4a, which is provided at its lower extremity (Fig. 1) with portions adapted to receive and to be secured to the upper tace oi the impeller housing 28, by means of a-radial flange 5i contacting the flange 38 and secured thereto by means of bolts 52. An annular groove is formed in flange face of pad 39, the packing being of suflicient thickness to provide a fluid-tight joint when the flange 5| and the pad 89 are in contact. A sleeve portion 53 is formed on the housing 49 to provide a substantial continuation of impeller chamber 88 and it terminates internally in an annular opening or separator inlet port 58, across which extend arms 59 to provide a mounting means for the structure of the inner chamber 41, hereinafter more fully described.

Theupper end of the housing 49 (Fig. l) is en larged to provide an internal air receiving pocket BI and a radial flange 62, which is similar in formation to the flange 88 of the pump housing 26. A head 88 having an annular flange 64 similar in construction to the flange 5I of housing 49 serves to cover the end of the housing, 'and is secured thereto to provide a fluid-tight joint.

The previously mentioned inner chamber 41 consists of a tube member 61 and caps 68 and 89 secured to the upper and lower ends thereof, respectively. The inner chamber member thus formed is mounted concentrically within the outer housing 49, and about the shaft 24. -Screws secure the upper head directlyto the cap 88 of the outer housing 49 (Fig. 5) while the lower end of the tube member 61 is secured against movement by engagement with the inner extremities of the previously described arms 59, formed on the lower extremity of the housing49. The upper cap 88 is provided with an air inlet opening II entering into the air pocket SI of the outer chamber 46 by means of a passage I2 formed in the housing head 88. A removable nipple I3, having an opening of reduced diameter, is screwed into the opening II and provides a simple means of changing the size of the open- The outer wall of the tube member 61 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5), together with a tubular flne mesh screen I8 mounted about the upper cap 68, provide therebetween an air directing chamber I4 for the outer chamber 48. Thechamber I4 receives the full discharge of the pump 28, which is directed thereto by a circular baflie member 15 mounted on the inner wall of the housing 49, and which is suitably secured to the screen 18. It has been found that, when liquid admixed with small quantities of air enters a relatively narrow chamber, such as the chamber I4, the liquid under pressure will readily pass through any portion of the screen, while the air will form in globules and roll up to the top of the screen before passing therethrough. In the present device, the air thus forced out will rise and enter the air pocket SI of the outer chamber, and the liquid will seek a level in the lower portion.

A radial baflle ring I! is formed on the baifle member 15. (Figs- 1 and 2), and, in cooperation with the inner wall ofthe housing 49, forms a restricted circular opening 18. The portion of the housing 49 below the ring 'I'I provides a sec ondary receiving chamber 19 in the outer chamber 48, to which the output pipe 58 is connected. This arrangement prevents excessive turbulence in the outerchamber, since, although the opening I8 is proportioned to receive the output 01' the device, its relatively narrow passage offers a substantial restriction to surges of liquid. This insures a stable liquid level in the outer chamber during normal operating conditions, which'encourages'the separation of the extremely small quantities of air which may have escaped with the liquid.

The separated air or gas is forced into the inner chamber 41 through passage I2 and opening II in the cap 88. Quantities of liquid are occasionally forced into this chamber with the air and accumulates in the bottom thereof, whereupon, when 'a certain liquid level is reached, a valve'device is actuated by the liquid to permit excess portions thereof to be withdrawn.

The valve device (Figs. 1 and 2) consists of a solid cylinder 88 of a material suited for immersion in gasoline such as an artificial resin, which is slidably mounted on shaft 24 and which normally rests on lower cap 69 of the inner chamber. The outer wall of the cylinder 88 is formed with a slot 8| adapted to slidably receive a stud 82 screwed through the tube member 61, to prevent the cylinder from rotating with the shaft. A tube 88 is secured to the upper end of the cylinder and is formed at its upper extremity with a suitable bracket for mounting an emergency valve 84, whichundercertainoperatingconditionsisadapted to close the air passage 94, as hereinafter more fully described. (See Figs. 2 and 5.). An annular recess 85, formed in the bottom face of the cylinder, receives a compression spring 86, mounted on the cap 89. The lower cap 69 of the inner chamber is flanged, both to provide a spring seat and an internal mounting for a ball bearing 89, the inner race of which is mounted on the shaft 24. The spring 88 functions to compensate for diflerencein specific gravity between the float assembly and the gasoline, so, when the lower portion of the inner chamber 41 is flooded, the cylinder will rise on the shaft 24', due to the urge of the spring 86 plus the urge of the liquid displaced by the cylinder. The shaft contains intercommunicating axialand radial portions providing a gasoline return passage 8! connecting the inner chamber 41 to radial passages 88 provided in the impeller 48. The passage 81 is normally closed to. the inlet casing by an internal sleeve portion of the cylinder 88. However, when the cylinder is in an elevated position, the passage is open and liquid is rapidly withdrawn from the inner chamber through the passages .88 by centrifugal action, thus causing the cylinder 88 to be restored to its lower position.

The previously mentioned air pump 22 (Figs. 3-5) is directly mounted on the upper head 88 and it is in fluid communication with the inner chamber member 41 by means of an air escape passage 84 (Fig. 5) which extends through both the upper head 63 and the underlying upper cap 68. The housing for the pump 22 is fabricated of an upper plate 95, a chamber member 98, and a lower plate 81, all of which are secured to: the upper head 63 by screws 98. The chamber member 98 contains a cylindrical rotor chamber 89 formed eccentrically to the shaft 24 (Figs. 3 and 4). The wall of the chamber is provided with a vertical passage I8I leading into a smaller passage I82, which in turn is in communication with the air escape passage 94 by means of a passage I88 and air input port I83 provided in lower plate 81. The passage IN is in communication with an air vent pipe I8] throughthe passage I84 in the upper plate 95, the latter passage entering a vertical tapped hole in a boss I88 into which the vent pipe I8! is screwed. A ball check valve H8 is mounted in the passage I8I (Fig. 5) and is adapted to seal the passage I82 when negative pressures are-present therein. The upper plate side of the housing to the input port I83 which the plate91 contain bearings I09 for the shaft existent in the separator 2I.

24. Gasket units III are retained against each hearing by a compression spring II2, thus rendering the bearings fluid-tight.

A rotor II4 (Fig. 4) is mounted in the auxil -iary pump housing and comprises a body member II5 containing radial vertical slots H6, in each'of which a vane H1 is slidably mounted. This unit fits with slight clearance 'in the eccentric chamber 99 and is secured to a sleeve member II8 which is in turn rotatably mounted on the shaft 24. The sleeve member I18 extends through the upper plate and terminates in a pair of opposed spline portions II8 for connection with a clutch member hereinafter described.

The rotor I4 is intermittently operated bymeans of a clutch in response to pressure conditions The control for the rotor, as more clearly shownin Fig. 6, comprises a flexible diaphragm I2I mounted in a threaded seat portion I22 of the upper head 63, and secured by means of a nut I23. Both nut I23 and the seat portion I22 are formed to conform to the-upper and lower positions of the 'diaphragmto support the same against rupture.

seat on a corresponding bevelled portion on a tube I32 pressed into an opening I30 in the head 53.

The rod I25 extends upwardly through a guide passage I33 (Fig. 4) formed in the auxiliary pump housing, and .it terminates in an internally threaded portion, adapted to receive an adjusting screw I34. The rod is thus mounted for upward movement under urge of the diaphragm I2I, to operate a clutch lever I 35, (Fig. 3) which is provided with pivot portions I36 rotatably mounted on lugs I31 of the upper plate 95 by the studs I40. One end of the lever is provided with a threaded portion I38 engaged -by the threads of screw I34 and-locked by a lock nut I39, while the opposite end of the lever is bifurcated to provide arms I4I (Figs. 2 and 3). The extremities of the latter arms are slotted and pivotably engaged with opposite sides of a thrust collar I43 by pins I44. The collar is formed with a race I45 at its upper face in which.

balls I46 are mounted for contact with the face I48 of a clutch member I49.

When the rod is in its upper position (Fig. 1) the clutch hereinafter described is thrown out, while, when pressure on the diaphragm I2I is released for any reason, a clutch operating spring I50 in engagement with thrust collar I43 (Figs. 1 and 5) ,is released to move the collar upwardly. and re-engage the clutch, thus rendering the air pump 22 operative;

The clutch member is provided with a depending sleeve portion I5'I (Figs. 3 and 5) rotatably mounted within the thrust collar I43 and having a central orifice for rotatably receiving the shaft 24.- Opposite slotted portions I52 are provided at the lower extremity of the 'motor shaft to shaft 24.

The motor 25 is mounted on a cylindrical pedestal I58 having a motor pad forreceiving the motor mounting bolts at its upper extremity, and having a flange I 6| at its lower extremity, secured to the flange 6 4 of the upper head 63. Both the motor pedestal I58 and the centrifugal pump housing are provided with radiating mounting arms I62 and I63 respectively, whereby the entire device may be supported in a. suitable structure for operation. For example, when the device is utilized in a gasoline dispenser the extremities of the arms may be secured to the usual upright channel frame members I64 of dispenser casing.

Operation The liquid supplied to the separator 2I by centrifugal pump 20 is separated into two bodies,

. as heretofore mentioned, an air or gas body,

which usually occupies the air pocket 6I-'of the unit; and a liquid body, which reaches a level below the air body. The air and liquid bodies,

continuously supplemented by the action of the arms M of impeller 40, are continuously drained during normal operation of -the device. The air escapes through the inlet opening 1I (Fig. 1) into the inner chamber 41 from where it is either forced or pumped out to' the vent pipe I01; the

. the vent pipe' I01. This escape circuit-is obviously only operative while the pump'20 supplies the back pressures necessary to expel air in the system. Inasmuch as the centrifugal pump 20 is rendered inoperative by the presence of abnormal quantities of air in the supply, it may be assumed that the described circuit is only operative to vent normal quantities of air.

The blocking of the centrifugal pump by such excessive quantities of air immediately effects a reduction of pressures in both outer and inner chambers of the separator 2I, and also upon the diaphragm IN. This decreases the loadapplied on the clutch'operating spring I50 by the diaphragm I2I through rod I25 and clutch lever I35, and permits the spring to raise the clutch member I49 and engage the face I53 thereof with the rotating clutch facing I54 on the shaft 24. The auxiliary 'pump rotor H4 is thus connected to the shaft 24, since the spline and notch connection between the clutch member I49 and sleeve II8 of the rotor connects these members for unitary rotation. Specifically, the air pump is somewhat similar to the usual eccentricdisplacementpump with the exception that the vanes II6 are retained in contact with the walls of its chamber by centrifugal force.

The auxiliary pump 22 (see Figs. 3-5) thus I operating, withdraws air from both the sepanormal path described, that is, through outer chamber 46, passage II, inner chamber 41, and into the pump input port I03 through passage 94. The air pump rotates in a counterclockwise direction (Figs. 3 and 4) and conveys the air thus received from its input port to its output port I05 for flnal disposal through passage I04 and vent pipe I01. Simultaneously, the normal air escape passages I00 and I02 are closed against circuitingaction by the seating of the ball check valve IIO by the suction head of the pump.

When the pump 22 withdraws a suflicient quantity of air from the system to flood the centrifugal pump chamber 30 with liquid, the impeller 40 therein is immediately rendered operative to continue the fluid supply to the separator, whereupon pressures are again built up to normal and the diaphragm I 2I is forced to its upper position, thus moving the rod I upwardly to operate the clutch lever I35, causing the movement of the thrust collar I43 downwardly against the force of the spring I50, to disengage the clutch and thus discontinue the operation of the air pump 22.

During operation of the separator under either of the described conditions, small quantities of liquid are introduced into the inner chamber, which, if not removed, would ultimately flood this chamber and admit liquid to the auxiliary pump and the air inlet passage, from where it would be forced out of the vent pipe I0'I. Such effect would not only entail a loss of liquid. but in the use of the device with inflammable liquids, such as gasoline, a fire hazard would result. The float operated valve 80 in the inner chamber 41 provides means for periodically returning excess portions of fluid to the centrifugal pump. When the liquid level in the inner chamber reaches a level sufllcient to raise the cylinder 00 with the aid of spring 00, the return passage 01 is exposed for venting of liquid into the centrifugal pump chamber, by means of the secondary set of arms in the impeller heretofore,referred to as the radial passages 80. Under these conditions the float is maintained at a level above the passage 81 until the liquid is withdrawn. The fact that the cylinder 00 is slidably mounted on the rotating shaft 24 insures its proper functioning as it cannot under the circumstances bind or freeze" on its mounting.

The inner chamber 41, in addition to its de-. scribed functions, ac ts as an expansion chain'- ber for the system, since. as heretofore mentioned, during normal operation of the centrifugal pump the contents thereof consist almost entirely of separated gases. When the centrifugal pump is at rest, however, other conditions attainable; for example, {a sudden rise in outside temperature will cause the expansion of not only the contents of the separator unit but of thefluid in the entire system. This will cause the 1 flooding of the inner chamber with liquid, which supplants and vents the air therein through the usual exit.

that its available gas storage volume is in excess The chamber 41 is so'proportioned of the amount of fluid it would receive under the most severe expansion condition.

. when the reverse of the above described conditions prevails, th'at is, during a sudden drop in outside temperature, the inner chamber 41 is placed under a negative pressure which would ordinarily result in the reception of air through vent pipe I" and the vent passage circuit communicsting therewith. This is prevented by the 84 acts as a safety device by entering and blocking the air passage 94 under urge of the float 00. Under normal opr'ating conditions, however, the float never rises to such an extreme position, since the liquid is drained through the passage by centrifugal action in passages 88 at a more rapid rate than it could enter the inner chamber.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for separating gas from liquid, comprising a separating unit having a pair of chambers, a conduit connecting said chambers, means for feeding liquid containing gases into one of said chambers for gravitational separation into gas and liquid bodies and for disposal of said gas body into the remaining chamber through said conduit, an outlet passage from said first chamber for the separated liquid, a gas pump in communication with the remaining chamber and operative to remove gases therefrom, drive means for the gas pump, means responsive to pressure conditions in said first chamber for connecting said pump means to said drive means, a liquid return conduit communicating between said liquid feeding means and said other chamher, a valve for opening or closing said conduit, and a float device for operating said valve, whereby incidental quantities of liquid deposited in said other chamber are returned to the feeding means.

2. Apparatus for separating gas from liquid. comprising a separating unit having inner and outer chambers, a conduit connecting said chambers, a drive shaft extending through said inner chamber, a pump connected to the drive shaft and communicating with said outer chamber for supplying liquid thereto for gravitational separation into gas and liquid bodies and for disposal of the gas body into the inner chamber through said connecting conduit, 3. gas venting conduit in said inner chamber, a liquid return conduit communicating between said inner chamber and said supply pump, a valve for opening or closing said conduit, and a float device for operating said valve, said float device being slidabiy mounted on said drive shaft.

3. Apparatus for separating gas from liquid, comprising a separating unit having a pair of concentric cylindrical chambers, a conduit connecting said chambers, a drive shaft extending axially through the inner chamber, a centrifugal pump casing secured to said separating unit, an impeller therefor secured to said drive shaft, an output passage for the pump in communication with the outer chamber, a connecting passage in the impeller end of the drive shaft including a radial inlet port opening into said inner chamber for connecting said pump casing to the inner chamber, a float controlled valve in -aid inner chamber for controlling said connecting passage, and an air vent passage from saidlnner chamber to the atmosphere.

4. Apparatus for separating gas from liquid, comprising a centrifugal pump. drive means therefor, a separating chamber supplied by the pump and having an outlet for separated liquid. a second chamber communicating with the flrst chamber through a restricted passage for the separated air. a conduit in the second chamber for conveying separated gases therefrom to the pump for operation by said drive means, and.

ugal pump when said pump is rendered inoperative thereby, comprising a; displacement pump in communication with the second chamberand means responsive to pressure conditions in the first chamber for connecting the displacement means for recovering condensed liquid in the second chamber comprising a passage between the second chamber and the centrifugal pump, and a float controlled valve in the second chamber for closing said passage.

5. Liquid pumping and gas separating apparatus comprising a centrifugal pump including a rotor and a casing therefor, a drive shaft for the rotor, an inlet port in the casing in communication with the rotor, a discharge passage leading. from the casing, a separating chamber .spaced from and in communication with said casing through said discharge passage, a liquid discharge line in communication with said chamber, a second chamber in fluid communication with said first named chamber, a conduit of restricted section for effecting said fluid communication, an air vent formed in said second chamber, a check valve disposed in said air vent, whereby incondensible gas under pressure greater than atmospheric may escape from said chamber and flow of air into said chamber is prevented when the pressure therein is less than atmospheric, a vacuum pump, clutch means for connecting said vacuum pump to the drive shaft for the centrifugal pump, means responsive to pressure within the first named chamber for operat-. ing said clutch and thereby connecting or disconnecting said' priming pump, a conduit connecting the suction side of the vacuum pump to said second named chamber, and a vent line connected to the. discharge'side of said vacuum pump.

6. Liquid pumping and gas separating apparatus comprising a centrifugal pump, said pump being provided with inlet and outlet ports, a gas and liquid separating chamber connected to the outlet port of said pump, a liquid discharge line connected to said chamber, a second chamber disposed within said first named chamber, a con-'- duit -of restricted section connecting the chambers at a point remote from said discharge line,

means in said second chamber for venting air passing thereinto, a float disposed in said second chamber, ,a return line extending from the bottom of said chamber to centrifugal pump means operating in unison with said centrifugal pump, whereby liquid entering said second chamber will be returned to the outlet port of the centrifugal pump, and means controlled by said float to close said conduit when liquid in said second chamber reaches a predetermined level.

7. Liquid pumping and gas separating apparatus comprising a centrifugal pump including a drive shaft, a rotor connected to the drive shaft, and a casing enclosing the rotor, said casing being formed with an inlet port for admitting fluid fluid passing through the rotor into the-casing, a chamber influid communication with said discharge port to receive the fluid discharged by the pump, said chamber being formedwith a battle adjacent the discharge port and a liquid discharge line on the opposite side of said bailie, whereby said chamber serves toeffect the separation of liquid from incondensible gas, a second chamber,

a conduit ofrestricted section connecting said chambers at the upper portions thereof, an air vent in said second chamber, a vacuum pump connected to said air vent, clutch means responsive to pressure conditions in said first chamber for connecting said vacuum pump to said shaft 'when predetermined low pressures exist in said chamber, a liquid conduit connecting said second chamber with said centrifugal pump, a float for opening said conduit when liquid reaches a predetermined level in said second chamber, and means associated with said float .for closing communication between said restricted conduit and said vacuum pump when the liquid in said second chamber reaches a high level.

8. Liquid pumping and air separating apparatus comprising a centrifugal pump including a rotor and a casing therefor, means for admitting mixed gas and liquid to said rotor means in said casing for transmitting fluid passing through the rotor, a separating chamber into which such transmitted fluid is discharged, a second separating chamber disposed within said first named chamber, a liquid discharge line connected to a low point of said first named chamber, a gas vent connecting'said chambers at the upper portions thereof, whereby the major portion of the liquid will be removed from said first named chamber through said discharge line and the major portion of the gas with a minor amount of liquid will enter said second chamber, a vacuum pump connected to said second chamber for removing gas therefrom, a float in said chamber, a liquid return line from the bottom of said chamber tosaid centrifugal pump, said return line being opened to establish liquid communication between said chamber and pump when liquid entering said chamber reaches a predetermined level.

9. A liquid pumping and gas separating apparatus comprising a centrifugal pump including.

a rotor and a casing enclosing said rot0r,'a separating chamber connected *to said casing to retherein reaches a predetermined value, a liquid to the inlet of the rotor and a. discharge port for returnpassage extending from a low point in the second chamber to the centrifugal pump, and a float in said second chamber for controlling the opening of said return passage. 10. A liquid pumping and gas separating apparatus comprising a centrifugal pump including a rotor and a casing housing the rotor, a separating chamber exterior of said casing and in fluid communication therewith, a liquid discharge line connected to said chamber, a second chamber in fluid communication with said first named chamber, an air ventdisposed at a high point in said second chamber, a check valve in said vent, a vacuum pump connected to a high point in the second chamber, means responsive to pressure conditions-in said chamber for operating said vacuum pump, a liquid return passage disposed at a lovrpoint of said second chamber in fluid com- 7 second chamber,

connection between said second chamber and said vacuum pump when said float reaches a predetermined elevation.

11. A liquid pumping and gas separating apparatus comprising a centrifugal pump including a rotor and a casing therefor, a. separating chamber mounted above said casing and in fluid communication therewith to receive fluid discharged therefrom, a liquid discharge line connected to said chamber, baflle means in said chamber to cause liquid to flow in a tortuous path therethrough, a second separating chamber disposed within said first named chamber, a fluid connection between said chambers disposed above said liquid discharge line, means responsive to pressures within said first chamber for removing gas therefrom, said means including a vacuum pump, a liquid passage disposed at the lower portion of said second chamber communicating with said rotor, and float means in said second chamber controlling the opening of said passage.

12. A liquid pumping and gas separating apparatus comprising a horizontally disposed centrifugal rotor, a casing therefor, a drive shaft extending upwardly from said rotor, a discharge opening formed in said casing and in fluid communication with a separating chamber, said chamber being disposed above said casing and around said drive shaft, a liquid discharge line connected to said chamber at a low point thereof, a second chamber disposed within said first named chamber and concentric with said shaft, sealing means around said shaft to prevent leakage therealong from said chamber, a liquid return passage at a low point in said second chamber for returning liquid contained therein, float means in the chamber for controlling the opening of said liquid return means, an air vent at an upper point-insaid second chamber, means in said vent preventing the ingress of air into the chamber, a vacuum pump disposed above said a clutch for connecting said vacuum pump to said rotor shaft, and means re- "sponsive to pressure conditions in said separating chamber for operating said clutch.

13. Apparatus.for separating gas from liquid and simultaneously pumping said liquid, comprising a separating unit having a pair of chambers, a

conduit connecting said chambers, centrifugal pump means for feeding liquid into one of said chambers for gravitational separation into gas and liquid bodies and for disposal of said gas body into the remaining chamber through said conduit, means for removing the gas from said remaining chamber and also for priming said centrifugal pump comprising a suction pump communicating with said remaining chamber and with the discharge side of said centrifugal pump means through said conduit and first chamber, another centrifugal pump means for removing incidental liquid fed into said remaining chamber, and float means in said remaining chamber for controlling admission of liquidto said other centrifugal pump means.

14. Apparatus for air and separatingthe air from such liquid prior to delivery of the liquid, comprising, in combination, a centrifugal pump, an inlet for said pump adapted to be connected to a. source of p p g liquid containing 20 liquid supply, said pump including a rotor and a casing, a discharge port in the casing, a receiving tank connected to the discharge port to receive fluid passing through said rotor, said receiving tank constituting a liquid and air sep-' arator, said tank being formed with a pair of chambers, one of said chambers being in fluid communcation with said discharge port, the other of said chambers being in communication with the first named chamber at a high point in said tank, a liquid discharge line at a low point in said first named chamber, means in the second chamber for draining therefrom liquid collecting therein, an air vent in said second chamber for the escape of air separated from said liquid, a vacuum pump interposed in said vent between said second chamber and the atmosphere, and means for operating both said centrifugal pump and said vacuum pump.

PORTER S. MORGAN. 

